Seeking Medical Help

The young women who had been missing for so long returned to their hometown, and Baihe Village was thrown into an uproar. The villagers spread the news from house to house, and before long, they had all rushed over. Some recognized their daughters, others found their relatives, and everyone was overcome with joy and sorrow.

"Thank you, young hero and heroine, for saving us. Please accept our family's bow..."

"Please come to our humble home and take the seats of honor. Let us thank you properly..."

Gao Xu and Lin Yueru naturally received everyone's gratitude. The villagers' warmth quickly lifted Lin Yueru's gloomy mood. She smiled as she responded to them, displaying impeccable manners. She was nothing like the unruly young lady she had been earlier.

Gao Xu, meanwhile, searched the crowd for Doctor Han. The zombie incident had yet to occur in Heishui Town, so Doctor Han, as the village chief, should be there.

Sure enough, a hale and hearty old man with a ruddy complexion watched the scene with a smile. A beautiful young woman stood beside him.

They must be Doctor Han and Han Mengci. Holding Su Mei, Gao Xu strode toward them.

Han Mengci saw the unconscious little Su Mei and immediately wore an expression of tenderness and concern. Before Gao Xu could even ask for help, she took Su Mei from him and hurried home.

Doctor Han smiled apologetically at Gao Xu. "Please don't take offense, young hero. My daughter can be rather impatient. She rushed off before even asking you anything—it was quite discourteous of her!"

Gao Xu waved his hands repeatedly. "I came here seeking medical help in the first place. Miss Han is a compassionate physician, and I couldn't be happier. How could I blame her?"

Then he cupped his hands and bowed, speaking solemnly. "I've long heard that Village Chief Han is a brilliant physician, known as a miracle doctor. I hope you'll work your magic and save her life. I'm sorry for the trouble!"

Gao Xu had rescued the girls from the monsters, reuniting the villagers with their families. Doctor Han already thought highly of him. Now, seeing how modest and sincere he was, Doctor Han had even less reason to refuse.

Before long, they had gathered in the main hall of Doctor Han's home...

"Hmm. Her internal organs are badly injured. This will be difficult!" Han Mengci was deft and had already treated Su Mei's external wounds, but the damage left by the sword energy was clearly beyond her abilities. Doctor Han felt Su Mei's pulse, and his brow furrowed. He murmured to himself, making Lin Yueru's heart tighten.

Gao Xu, however, felt slightly relieved. Difficult was better than hopeless. As long as Doctor Han could treat Su Mei, that was good news!

After completing the escort mission, the Emblem had informed him that he had at most twenty-four hours left in this world. If Doctor Han couldn't treat Su Mei, he would have no choice but to ask Lin Yueru to help him find another physician.

But then he would miss out on this rare opportunity to raise her favorability, and Gao Xu certainly didn't want that.

With the zombie incident still yet to happen, Doctor Han's family had plenty of time on their hands. With Han Mengci and a young boy with twin buns, A-Bao, assisting him, Doctor Han quickly examined Su Mei from head to toe. After some thought, he wrote out a prescription and handed it to Gao Xu.

"Snow Lotus Seeds, Smilax, Curculigo, Poria, Asiatic Pennywort, Black Tree Fern... These herbs are all quite precious, but nothing we can't handle. Hmm, but what are these Ghost Shadow Flower, Jade Beard Stem, and Ink Mystery Juice? I've never heard of them." Lin Yueru leaned closer and read the prescription, asking curiously.

Doctor Han smiled faintly. "Those three can be considered local specialties. It's no wonder you haven't heard of them..."

At this, Gao Xu's heart sank a little. Sure enough, Doctor Han continued, "The Ghost Shadow Flower is a medicinal herb found on Ghost Yin Mountain to the southwest, named after the mountain. The Jade Beard Stem comes from Jade Buddha Temple to the north, where the monks tend to it with great care. The Ink Mystery Juice is made from the river water in Heishui Town to the east. These three herbs used to be plentiful in the village, but in recent years, bandits have occupied Ghost Yin Mountain, and the new abbot at Jade Buddha Temple is no longer willing to provide the Jade Beard Stem. For some reason, the river water in Heishui Town has also become strange. That's why I must trouble you to find them, young hero. If you can gather all the ingredients and brew my family's secret medicine, Soul Returning Powder, this little girl should recover."

Holding the prescription, Gao Xu thanked Doctor Han and walked outside. He gazed at the evening glow on the horizon, silent.

"What's the matter? Are you stumped by such a little task?" Lin Yueru came up behind him, grinning. She was clearly delighted to see him at a loss.

When Gao Xu still didn't answer, his face solemn, Lin Yueru rolled her eyes and let out an "Oh." "You're worried about those precious herbs like Snow Lotus Seeds, aren't you? Hmph, with me here, getting them will be a piece of cake!"

"Miss Lin, you misunderstand!" Gao Xu shook his head. "The Snow Lotus Seeds and Curculigo are valuable, but the real challenge lies in those three local specialties. Do you know that the three places Doctor Han mentioned are no safe havens? If I'm not mistaken, they may be even more dangerous than Hidden Dragon Cave!"

"What?! Could there be monsters there too? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Lin Yueru raised her brows. Far from looking afraid, she was excited. Although Lin Tiannan hadn't kept her cooped up in Lin Family Fort all day, he had never taken her on a real monster hunt. She had often complained about it. Now that Gao Xu had come along, she had already seen and learned a great deal, and this kind of adventure was thrilling!

Watching Lin Yueru's animated expression, Gao Xu's eyes flickered with amusement. He had deliberately piqued the young lady's interest.

Ghost Yin Mountain, Jade Buddha Temple, and Heishui Town all featured story events and battles in the game, so Gao Xu didn't expect the search for medicine to go smoothly. He had less than a day and couldn't handle too many unexpected setbacks. To be safe, he would need Lin Yueru's strength.

Now that she had a reason to go, Lin Yueru was full of energy. Before Gao Xu could even suggest it, she eagerly headed for the village entrance. A short while later, she returned with a tall, lanky Lin family disciple and had him copy down the rest of the herbs on the prescription so he could hurry back to Lin Family Fort and fetch them.

"This is my senior brother, Xiao Jun. Every time I go out, Father sends him to protect me. Hmph, and to keep an eye on me, too, in case I cause trouble or bully someone!" Before they set off, Lin Yueru didn't forget to remind her poor senior brother, "I'm not messing around this time. I'm saving someone! Make sure you explain that to Father!"

Xiao Jun left with a bitter smile. Lin Yueru watched him go, beaming, and cheered, "Finally, I don't have a tail following me around! I'm free!"

"If you've never been in my shoes, don't laugh at me!" Gao Xu looked at Lin Yueru with a smile. She looked a little embarrassed, bit her lip, and asked coyly, "So, where are we going now? Where are the strongest monsters?"

Gao Xu turned and pointed southwest. That was the direction of Ghost Yin Mountain.